Novel microalgae with high productivity of zeaxanthin and lutein

Abstract

The present invention relates to HS-LZ microalgae of the genus Chlorella (Chlorella sp. HS-LZ), which are novel microalgae characterized by being able to produce zeaxanthin and lutein, and uses thereof.

1 . HS-LZ microalgae of the genus  Chlorella  ( Chlorella  sp. HS-LZ) deposited under the accession number KCTC 14308BP. 
     
     
         2 . The HS-LZ microalgae of  claim 1 , wherein the HS-LZ microalgae of the genus  Chlorella  are capable of producing zeaxanthin. 
     
     
         3 . The HS-LZ microalgae of  claim 1 , wherein the pigments produced by the HS-LZ microalgae of the genus  Chlorella  contain at least one of zeaxanthin and lutein in an amount of 90 parts by weight or more based on 100 parts by weight of the pigments. 
     
     
         4 . The HS-LZ microalgae of  claim 1 , wherein the pigments produced by the HS-LZ microalgae of the genus  Chlorella  does not contain at least one selected from the group consisting of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, neoxanthin and violaxanthin. 
     
     
         5 . A method for producing zeaxanthin or lutein, comprising the steps of:
 culturing the HS-LZ microalgae of the genus  Chlorella  ( Chlorella  sp. HS-LZ) deposited under the accession number KCTC 14308BP; and   obtaining pigments from the culture medium of the microalgae.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of culturing the microalgae comprises culturing the microalgae for 3 to 14 days under conditions in the absence of an organic carbon source. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of obtaining the pigments comprises the step of disrupting microalgal cells in the culture medium or the step of extracting the pigments from the microalgae. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the method does not comprise the step of removing chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, neoxanthin and violaxanthin. 
     
     
         9 . A composition for producing zeaxanthin or lutein comprising the HS-LZ microalgae of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating eye diseases, comprising the HS-LZ microalgae of  claim 1  or an extract thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A health functional food for preventing or improving eye diseases, comprising the HS-LZ microalgae of  claim 1  or an extract thereof.